August, 2023
Here we are, ready to continue this march against Alzheimer’s. Each year when we prepare ourselves for the season of fundraising forthe Alzheimer’s Walk to End Alzheiemer’s, we are eager toremember all of our friends and our family who have supported usthrough these years. As my dad mentioned we have raised over $71,000in all these years, THANK YOU. What a difference it makes when weall work together. Thank you for supporting us each year. Weappreciate the well wishes.
As I sit down to write this year’s message, I don’t always knowwhere to start. So, I usually attempt to read my previous messages. The walk down memory lane of all the memories of my mom, all thestories, all the connections with so many of our friends, and family,they sure do tug on my heart. As I try to choose what ALZ story totell this year, I’ll admit that with so much going on currently inour lives: Zak learning to drive and earning his Driver’s License,Rachel and Kenny getting married Sept. 30, 2023, and Adam thriving atCargill- IN IOWA, (not to mention Chuck and his enthusiasm for hisreturn for year 32 of teaching, any my involvement at work); with somuch going on, as I was saying, sometimes it is difficult to take thetime to make a difference, to tell our ALZ story from the roof topsso that we can support the next family in their ALZ journey. But Iknow how important it is to share my mom’s story, our story offamily support, of full time caregiving, and of an Alzheimer’scommunity.
So I will add this swell of emotion which I could not deny that Iexperienced last month. I was visiting with folks I have not seenfor a while. I usually am so flattered when folks mention to me someaspect of my ALZ involvement. Sometimes it is about the walk date,sometimes it is simply a mention of “oh watching your family carefor your mom was so special.” Many times, folks are eager to sharetheir journey, or ask questions about care. But this time, I foundmyself defending my mom’s journey, that she was humble, and sweet,that she was a gem of a patient; never did she complain. Thequestions kept coming, and I couldn’t seem to find the answers, andmaybe that is what bothered me so much- was the story becoming sodistant that I was at a loss for a way to explain our care for mymom? How could I not be prepared with a response that was comfortingto others, or for myself. I began to tear up, yes, I can cry forvery little reason, but never like this before, never alone-whilesurrounded by my friends. Losing my mom just seemed so sad at thispoint. I was able to walk away from the discussion and gather mythoughts and return to the party- perhaps without notice from others,but boy, that feeling has sure stuck with me. I sure miss my mom.
Thank you so much for remembering my mom and sharing your stories ofBarb and Jim. There isn’t a visit with my dad lately where wedon’t mention my mom, even though she has been gone from us for solong. I am thankful to hear my dad share so many memories and talk oftheir travels.
Please Make THISTHE YEAR to makeyour contribution. No amount is too small. When we work together,it adds up. If you want to text me for the online link, you can doso, 419-606-9374. You can also find me on facebook and donate there.And here we are, attempting to raised $10,000 for our third year in arow.
Making Memories Matter,
8-15-22
When we say every donation makes a difference we mean it. And Miller’s Hawkins grocery store proved it. 2,350 people made a $1.00 and it adds up! Our Ashland Community steps up! Selling the paper flowers at the cash register surely is a blessing. And let’s double that blessing. Your contribution adds up.
My dad has received just over 25 donations from his closest friends and faithful supporters. He is a rockstar. And I know that my friends will add it up for our team this year. We always list a modest goal, but let’s get to $10,000 like last year. Ashland residents did their part! Let’s do this!
August, 2022
When we started our Walk to End Alzheimer’s, the annual fundraising event was named THE ALZHEIMER’S MEMORY WALK. And that is how I will always refer to in when sharing about our journey. We remember, we share our memories, we Hope for a healthy future void of Alzheimer’s, and we move forward on our Memory Walk.
I believe the first Memory walk I walked was at Ashland University, a small number of folks joining together on a small private college campus, walking, remembering and raising awareness….. and here I am 17 years later, sharing our story; and I don’t have to tell you, we are still writing our story, 11 years without my mom, her grandchildren never knowing her healthy, and watching so many other families struggle with Alzheimer’s.
Thank you for your continued support for the Alzheimer’s Association; as I write this message I give so much credit to the Alzheimer’s Association for teaching us, guiding us, and supporting us in our care for my mom. My mom was a gem of a patient, and she always blessed us in our visits. We are honored to support friends in their care giving journey, I’ve said it before, our journey is valued when others have questions, or seek advice, well, we don’t know that we have all the right words to say, and perhaps the most appropriate words to say are “we understand and we are here to help, and, please reach out to the Alzheimer’s Association.”
Please Make THIS THE YEAR to make your contribution. No amount is too small. When we work together, it adds up. If you want to text me for the online link, you can do so, 419-606-9374. You can also find me on facebook and donate there.
Last year was a banner year for our family, we were honored to raise $10,000.00 Thank you for your support, every donation matters. Memories matter.
August 1, 2021
Check out this photo from 20 years ago August 2001!
I didn’t realize I had updated my page in March of 2021, that’s a good piece. But I just have to share another update. 2021, 10 years since my mom passed away on Sept.3,2011. And 10 years sure does add up.
Let’s look at it this way,
2011-2021- 10 years, that my mom is gone, at the age of 72
2001-2011- 10 years that she struggled with memory issues beginning at age 62;
1991-2001- beginning at age 52-it was an amazing 10 years when she and my dad enjoyed retirement, at 52 years old. They were traveling, and playing cards, and dining out, ALOT. They were visiting friends across the nation, they were serving meals at church, they were hosting family gatherings. They were living life to the fullest, with no hint of what was to come. God sure did provide my parents with an amazing time of being together, of being Barb and Jim. Of being healthy at a young age. Oh trust me, we are fully aware that Dad’s youthful spirit made caring for my mom ‘doable’ when he was 62-72 years old.
I often encourage others after the loss of a loved one to hold the memories close at heart, also adding, #memories matter. And this little phrase has a big punch; here is what I mean, first of all, my mom’s memory was diminishing for a long time for 10 years we lost a little bit of her along the way. When my mom was unable to know our names, and label us as her own daughters, and husband, and grandchildren, it really was a tough blow. When she forgot all the stories of her days of serving at church, or SEWING, or how to get anywhere, we lost apart of my mom, and her ‘memory’ abilities were lost.
Here’s the second part, MEMORIES of my mom matter, just as I have written before, I push hard to remember my healthy mom. I try to imagine my parents traveling for these past 20 years, sharing family times together, and building up our family as a whole. Knowing all along the passion she held, and the faithful way she served so many.
This year I have the title as the Walk to End Alzheimer’s Chairman for the Mansfield/Ashland Area walk. I am humbled to share our story, to encourage others, and to support the research to find a cure. Imagine a survivor of Alzheimer’s Disease, let’s do this together. It is through the Alzheimer’s Association that we learned so much about caring for my mom, educating and supporting others, and where we build a hope for a cure.
March 2021.
I can not believe it is time to begin the work for our walk this year. As I think about March and remembering my mom's Birthday, she would have been 82. I sure miss her. The memories of my mom get a little complicated. I surely remember her in my early elementary aged days, and her zest for life, her 'let's get going adventuresome spirit'; however, and I guess that's the point, there is always a HOWEVER, most of the time when I 'think' of mom- it's all the DAZE of Alzheimer's- see what I did there. And that's not really how I want to remember my mom. And, Unfortunately that is the only Grandma my kids knew- that is all they remember. Their life with Grandma came after the HOWEVER.
Yet we push through. We 'get by'. That phrase makes me giggle-- I tease my dad when we chat about how it's all going, you know, each day through the pandemic! And we are getting by. He is getting by- We know he is thriving, he is retired, he is cooking amazing meals for himself, he is playing cards with us, and he is smiling. But he is getting by alone, he is getting by without my mom- for almost 10 years!
Your support means to the Alzheimer's Association so much to our family. If you get the chance to talk to my dad about the journey with my mom, it is very clear from my dad that he GIVES all the Credit of support and education to the Alzheimer's Association. That is where he gained his greatest confidence in care for my mom. We are Grateful for all the Alzheimer's Association does for families.
August, 2020.
Whatta year it has been. 2020 has given us a true time to reflect on theway things were; life before a shut down, life before masks, lifetogether with our family and friends. So many limitations haveconfronted each decision we make, and we long for when life was as weknew it. COVID-19has impacted life like nothing we have experienced before, andwe strive to overcome, we hold on to each other, and we take care ofeach other.
So,we reach out to you again, in our effort to support the Alzheimer’sAssociation. Losing mom 9 years ago, September 3, 2011, was atroubling time. Her Alzheimer’s journey was 10 years long, and itwas through that time when we held on to each other, and we tookcare of each other, and each of you holds a place in our heartswhen we remember my mom. Thank you.
My goal has been updated to $2,000.00 and with your help, I know we can get there. I kept my journal entry below for you to see my hopes from EARLY MARCH, 2020-- we adjust, and we work for a cure.
March 2020, Yes you will see that I have Increased my goal, to $9,000.00
That means $1,000.00 each month until the walk. I know that we can do it. I have participated in the Walk to End Alzheimer's for years, and I know this can be our best year yet. My dad works hard at it, and so Can I.
Look at these two in the photo. These two share a Birthday Month, and what a continued gift it is to Rachel, and to me. My mom was so excited to be a Grandma and then to celebrate with Rachel was a blessing. Rachel has her birthday BETWEEN her two grandmas and she cherishes those celebrations today, and always will. I share these stories, because this is why I fight so hard to support and RAISE awareness of a NEED TO FIND A CURE. My mom began her journey with Memory loss at 2001, Rachel was born in 1996, Adam in 1998, and Julia in 2002. She really only had a short time to be the Grandma she had wanted to be. And our children only know Grandma with Alzheimer's, and that is something I will always regret.
March is a month for Mom. My mom was a sweet spirit. She was a beautiful friend, and caring wife, and an active MOM. She was my mom, Joyce's mom. Our Mom. Remembering her birthday this weekend, March 7. Love you Mom.
Best ever. Blessed Forever.
from 2019- our story
Alzheimer'sDisease has changed our life forever. My mom was diagnosed in 2001 and she struggled until September 2011. It turns out that her journey was a text bookcase, 10 years from diagnosis to her death. And I never understood what it would look like to die from ALZ. Now I know. She had fought so hard for so long, she was so confused, so frustrated. We never really knew how to help her,but we tried. In the end, when she had suffered thru 4 infections in 3 months,her body had no way to fight. She could not communicate with us about what she needed. and we had no idea how to help her. We didn't know of all of her suffering. She rested calmly at Hospice for 8 days before she passed into GLORY on 9-3-11.
Within those final 8 days, there was nothing left, just all of OUR MEMORIES of Barbara, Memories before ALZHIEMER'S. The great baker she was, the perfect friend, the most caring mom around. She was a loving wife who cared for her husband. She was a favorite Aunt, a helpful sister. We were blessed to learnfrom a wonderful lady. She lived her life as a most exemplary Christian lady.She made a difference in the life of all those she met.
Your donation means to much to our family. While my mom was struggling with the disease, The Alzheimer's Association was our main support system and our emotional compass. The education and support we learned was invaluable in the care of my mom. Giving back to the ALZ ASSOC. is just one small gesture which makes a HUGE difference. Imagine when we find the CURE and we can all say, we make a difference. What a glorious day that will be. Thank you for your support.
My Progress
Thank you for helping advance Alzheimer's support, care and research.
102.53
I have raised
3000
My Goal
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